Visit two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang on a day trip from Shanghai ... More info ›

Visit two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang on a day trip from Shanghai. You'll see how daily life has remained unchanged over the centuries in these unique old towns. Visit the Suzhou's magnificent gardens, feast on a Chinese lunch and travel through Zhouzhuang's waterways on a Chinese-style gondola.

Founded in around 600 B.C., Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and is known for its beautiful gardens. With its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment, the city is often referred to as the Venice of the East. Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, your first stop is the Net Master Garden, the town's best example of a model Ming Dynasty garden. The gardens embody the harmonious principles of Chinese garden construction, which dictate that gardens should re-create a microcosm of the universe in a confined space.

After enjoying Suzhou's gardens, you'll view the town's ancient city wall and Grand Canal. You'll also take a tour of a silk-spinning factory to see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century.

After lunch, it's time to visit the water village of Zhouzhuang and board a Chinese-style gondola to cruise the town's beautiful waterways. Zhouzhuang's simple, well-preserved architecture dates back more than 900 years. The majority of residences were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways are still in use. In this water village, locals live their life on the waterways, continuing to carry out everyday activities on the water, from washing clothes to shopping from vendors in boats.

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See two of China's most popular destinations, the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs on one unforgettable guided day trip from Beijing ... More info ›

See two of China's most popular destinations, the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs on one unforgettable guided day trip from Beijing. You'll visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the best preserved sections of this colossal structure, and explore the Chang Ling Tomb, the largest of the excavated Ming emperor burial sites.

First stop on your full-day tour north of Beijing is the Great Wall of China, the greatest symbol of ancient Chinese engineering and one of the world's most famous structures. Here at the Badaling section of the Great Wall you will have the opportunity to climb either the north or south face of the wall.

From Badaling it's on to the sacred Ming Tombs, burial grounds to 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. You'll explore the largest of the excavated burial sites, the Chang Ling Tomb, which is divided into three separate, impressive courtyards.

Lunch is included in your day tour to the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs, along with a shopping opportunity at the renowned Longdi Jade Factory.

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See all the main sites of Shanghai, 'Paris of the Orient' ... More info ›

See all the main sites of Shanghai, 'Paris of the Orient'. Your fully guided coach tour includes lunch as well as entry into the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Bund and Bund History Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Fresh Water Pearl Gallery, a silk factory and Xin Tian Di, Shanghai's entertainment district.

Your tour begins with Jade Buddha Temple. Built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1875-1909), it contains a priceless collection of jade statues from Burma. The temple is constructed in the magnificent architectural style of the Song Dynasty. Currently the temple houses the Shanghai Buddhist Institute.

Next stop is Fresh Water Pearl Gallery. You'll see the process of pearl cultivation and you may be the lucky participant to be presented with a single pearl.

People Square, in the heart of the city is a vast green area surrounded by great buildings on all sides. Here you have the opportunity to feed the doves to pray for the world peace.Shanghai Museum is a highlight of the tour. The museum design is in keeping with Feng Shui principles. It houses a great permanent collection and hosts various exhibitions with over 120,000 pieces thst showcase the 5000 years of China's history. We recommend you rent an audio phone (USD 5) to make the most of your 1.5 hours' visit.

After lunch, visit the enchanting Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Street. The garden includes many halls, springs and other buildings of interest. The visit brings you back to Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644).

Continue to the Bund on Shanghai's waterfront. The Bund is Shanghai's most famous landmark and a symbol of old and new Shanghai. Four kilometers long, it has long been one of the most important areas of Shanghai. In the 1930s, the Bund was host to the city's financial and commercial centers.

At the silk factory, see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century. There is also the option to to purchase the silk at low prices. After a drive along the former French Concession District, characterized by beautiful, tree-lined streets wander through Shanghai's hottest new entertainment district, Xin Tian Di. The brick buildings on these two-square blocks have been preserved and transformed into trendy clubs, restaurants and boutiques.

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If your time in Beijing is short, take this full-day tour to see all the essential sights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China ... More info ›

If your time in Beijing is short, take this full-day tour to see all the essential sights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. You'll see why the capital of the People's Republic of China continues to be a historic center of power, culture and wealth today.

Your sightseeing day tour of Beijing's essential sights starts at Tiananmen Square, with an overview of China's communist history. You'll tour the grounds and see Tiananmen's vast array of halls and monuments.

From Tiananmen Square it's a short walk to the Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace Museum. The history of every dynasty is represented in four palatial halls, plus antiques and treasures from China's thousands of years of history.

After a stop for lunch you will visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the best preserved sections of this 2,000-year-old architectural wonder. You will be able to climb the Great Wall and take in the panoramic views from the top.

The day tour also includes a stop at the famous Longdi Jade Factory where you can shop for beautiful bargains.

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Travel to Hangzhou, a city rich in history and spectacular scenery on this day trip from Shanghai ... More info ›

Travel to Hangzhou, a city rich in history and spectacular scenery on this day trip from Shanghai. Cruise on Hangzhou's famous West Lake and take in the stunning views that have inspired poets and artists for centuries. Also visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda, a magnificent example of ancient Chinese architecture. You'll come to appreciate why Marco Polo once referred to Hangzhou as 'the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world'.

Hangzhou is a city rich with history and culture, spanning back over 2000 years. It made a name for itself in the Seventh Century, when the Grand Canal, the world's longest canal opened and linked Hangzhou to Beijing and other centers of trade. The South Song Dynasty (A.D. 1127-1279) helped make Hangzhou famous when the imperial family settled here early in the 12th century.

On arrival to Hangzhou, your first stop is Six Harmonies Pagoda, also know as Liuhe Pagoda. Overlooking the Qiantang River, this massive structure is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. Visit the museum that exhibits the various ancient Chinese pagoda styles. Continue to Meijiawu Tea Village for a traditional tea ceremony and an insight into its significance in Chinese culture.

After lunch, cruise across West Lake to experience peace and serenity like no place else in China.  Your cruise ends at Flower Harbor where you can walk along on Su Causeway and feed the fish in the Red Fish Pond to pray for the good luck.

Finally, experience nature and visit '9 Creeks and 18 Gullies'. Enjoy a lovely walk amongst this peaceful environment. There are some quaint places to stop off along the way too, including a lagoon and a small pavilion which has been converted into a great tea and snack hous

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Dine on exquisite Chinese cuisine at a Peking Duck banquet dinner then enjoy traditional entertainment from a Chinese acrobat troupe on this Beijing evening excursion.

 Dining on world-famous Peking Duck is an absolute must-do in Beijing you can't say you've eaten Peking Duck until you've eaten it in Beijing, where it is made as it should be! On your evening out in Beijing you'll discover the culinary secrets in carving the duck correctly and eating it Beijing style.

Your delicious banquet will be followed by exotic entertainment from a Chinese acrobat troupe, who have perfected this elegant art form that has been performed in China for thousands of years. ... More info ›

Dine on exquisite Chinese cuisine at a Peking Duck banquet dinner then enjoy traditional entertainment from a Chinese acrobat troupe on this Beijing evening excursion.

 Dining on world-famous Peking Duck is an absolute must-do in Beijing you can't say you've eaten Peking Duck until you've eaten it in Beijing, where it is made as it should be! On your evening out in Beijing you'll discover the culinary secrets in carving the duck correctly and eating it Beijing style.

Your delicious banquet will be followed by exotic entertainment from a Chinese acrobat troupe, who have perfected this elegant art form that has been performed in China for thousands of years.

Less info